WILMINGTON, Mass. — Kevan Miller knew it was coming, and why. Next, Miller made it look like he definitely knew what he was doing. In reality, the Boston Bruins first-year defenseman hasnt fought all that much during his three-year pro career, although that wasnt evident last Monday night. Travis Moen sustained a concussion after challenging Miller to a duel, and hasnt played for the Montreal Canadiens since. The challenge was one Miller had to accept, the fight one he wished he didnt have to have. It came after Miller bumped Montreals Dale Weise from behind at the bottom of the face-off circle, sending Weise crashing hard into the boards at TD Garden. I felt bad about the hit, Miller said. I just kind of bumped into him, and I think he was a little off-balance. Miller, penalized for cross-checking Weise (who sustained an upper-body injury on the play, and also hasnt played since), took no satisfaction from seeing Moen helped off the ice by teammates, either. He was just sticking up for his guy, Miller said. I think he kind of knew I felt bad (about the Wiese hit), but at the same time, he had to stand up for his teammates. Thats kind of the way things go. A godsend on defense since late December, when the Bruins recalled him from AHL Providence for the third and final time after Dennis Seidenbergs potentially season-ending knee injury, Miller has also proved equally adept with his fists. He has fought four times — always when called out, and usually against established battlers like Moen, who has fought more than 70 times in his 680-game NHL career. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Miller has the size and strength to take care of himself and his teammates. What the 26-year-old lacks is experience: The Los Angeles native, who spent four years at the University of Vermont before signing with the Bs as an undrafted free agent in October, 2011, never played in a league that permitted fighting until reaching the AHL. Its new to me — very new, he said. Ive probably only had about 20 fights, ever, so Im learning as I go. Its anyones guess as to whether Miller will be asked to fight more, or less, since the rest of the league has seen the Moen fight. Miller entered the NHL as a relatively unknown commodity, after fighting fewer than 20 times in 2½ seasons at the AHL level. Whether it creates more fights, less fights, I dont know, said veteran winger Shawn Thornton, the Bruins most accomplished fighter. I just think people probably wont underestimate Millsy when they step in. Miller hasnt picked a fight yet. Sharks veteran Mike Brown, who has had 75 fights in the last six years alone, and the Senators Zack Smith, both objected to being checked by Miller, and challenged him. Millers third fight, against Montreals Brandon Prust, was Prusts idea: The Bs had just taken a 2-0 lead halfway through the second period, and Prust was pretty clearly trying to create at spark at the Bell Centre. Thats probably how it will stay. I try to be an honest player, said Miller, who has collected a reasonable 36 penalty minutes in 42 games. Im not going around chasing guys, trying to be an idiot. For me, fights happen when they happen. I just try to play my game, and if it happens — thats the way it goes. The way Miller has played (plus-17 in roughly a half-season), thats probably the way it should be. There have been five or six guys who have been able to (fight) all year, Thornton said. (Miller) has been one whos stepped up in that regard. More important, though, is how hes played for us. Hes played some really good minutes for us, and some really big minutes for us. Hes been unbelievable — a really welcome addition.seacoastonline/articles/20140401-SPORTS-404010342
Posted on: Tue, 01 Apr 2014 21:25:32 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015